Here are 10 tips to help you achieve a better balance in your life. Take a moment to
read and reflect on these tips -- and then get your life in balance!
Negotiate a Change with Your Current Employer. Progressive employers
recognize the value of good employees, and many are willing to find ways to help current
employees deal with short-term or permanent changes caused by family situations. The
changes can include flextime, job-sharing, telecommuting, or part-time employment. Your
first step is to research your employer's policies and methods of handling previous requests.
Then go to your boss armed with information and a plan that shows how you will be an even
more valuable and productive employee if you can modify your current work situation.
Find a New Career. Some careers are simply more stressful and time-consuming
than others. If you need more time for yourself or your family, now may be the time to explore
careers that are less stressful and more flexible.
Find a New Job. Rather than a career change, perhaps you simply need to
take a less stressful job within your chosen career. This change may involve working with
your current employer to identify a new position, it may involve a full job-search, or it may
involve temping or becoming a consultant or starting a freelancing or other home-based business.
Slow Down. Life is simply too short, so don't let things pass you in a blur. Take
steps to stop and enjoy the things and people around you. Schedule more time between
meetings; don't make plans for every evening or weekend, and find some ways to distance
yourself from the things that are causing you the most stress.
Learn to Better Manage Your Time. Avoid Procrastination. For many
people, most of the stress they feel comes from simply being disorganized -- and procrastinating.
Learn to set more realistic goals and deadlines -- and then stick to them. You'll find that not only
are you less stressed, but your work will be better.
Share the Load. Even though we may sometimes feel we're the only ones capable
of doing something, it's usually not the case. Get your partner or other family members to help you
with all your personal/family responsibilities. Taking care of the household, children, or parents
should not be the responsibility of just one person.
Let Things Go. (Don't Sweat the Small Stuff.) It's simpler said than done, but
learn to let things go once in a while. So what if the dishes don't washed everyday or that the
house doesn't get vacuumed every week. Learn to recognize the things that don't really have
much impact in your life and allow yourself to let them go -- and then not beat yourself up for doing so.
Explore Your Options. Get Help. If you are feeling overwhelmed with your family
responsibilities, please get help if you can afford it. Find a sitter for your children, explore options
for aging parents, and seek counseling for yourself. In many cases, you have options, but you
need to take the time to find them.
Take Charge. Set Priorities. Sometimes it's easier for us to allow ourselves to
feel overwhelmed rather than taking charge and developing a prioritized list of things that need to
get done. You need to buck the trend. Develop a list. Set priorities. And then enjoy the satisfaction
of crossing things off your list.
Simplify. It seems human nature for just about everyone to take on too many tasks
and responsibilities, to try to do too much, and to own too much. Find a way to simplify your life.
Change your lifestyle. Learn to say no to requests for help. Get rid of the clutter and baggage
in your house -- and your life.
In the end, the key word is balance. You need to find the right balance that works for you.
Celebrate your successes and don't dwell on your failures. Life is a process, and so is striving
for balance in your life.
Questions about some of the terminology used in this article? Get more information (definitions and links) on key college, career, and job-search
terms by going to our Job-Seeker's Glossary of Job-Hunting Terms.
Dr. Randall S. Hansen is founder of Quintessential Careers,
one of the oldest and most comprehensive career development sites on the Web, as well CEO of
EmpoweringSites.com. He is also founder of
MyCollegeSuccessStory.com and
EnhanceMyVocabulary.com. He is publisher of
Quintessential Careers Press,
including the Quintessential Careers electronic newsletter,
QuintZine. Dr. Hansen is also a
published author, with several books, chapters in books, and hundreds of articles. He's often
quoted in the media and conducts empowering workshops around the country. Finally, Dr. Hansen is
also an educator, having taught at the college level for more than 15 years. Visit his
personal Website or
reach him by email at randall(at)quintcareers.com.
